Some people are standing in water up to their noses — just one small wave away from drowing, Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Planning has said.
“While many people may not officially be considered poor, they live just above the poverty line and remain dangerously vulnerable, he stated, painting a grim picture of Bangladesh’s poverty landscape now.
“Their situation is not sustainable. A minor shock can push them into poverty,” he warned.
The advisor was addressing as the chief guest the opening ceremony of the three-day National Conference on Social Protection 2025 being held at the Bangladesh- China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
Highlighting the growing income disparity, he said, “We are poorer in terms of income than we are in terms of expenditure, and the number of poor people is increasing every year.”
Dr. Mahmud emphasized that in a just society, there should be no place for extreme poverty. “No country can be so poor that it cannot ensure the basic necessities of life for all its people,” he said, adding, “We can no longer make excuses. Ensuring minimum social protection for everyone must be a primary national goal — both economically and politically.”
Ghost Beneficiaries and Political Favoritism
Addressing flaws in the country’s current social safety net system, Dr. Mahmud pointed out that nearly 50% of beneficiaries receiving state allowances are either ineligible or politically selected. He called for the creation of a comprehensive, nationally integrated list and stronger grassroots-level monitoring to ensure that support reaches those who genuinely need it.
“In an equitable society, it’s not enough to provide education and healthcare — people must also have the minimum resources required to survive. Without that, services like schools and hospitals become meaningless for many,” he said.
Emerging Pockets of Poverty
The Planning Advisor also warned of the emergence of new poverty-prone areas, citing districts such as Netrokona, Sunamganj, Satkhira, and Patuakhali. While regions like Rangpur have seen some relief from seasonal hunger (commonly known as monga), other parts of the country are now showing troubling signs of deepening poverty.
Dr. Mahmud said that even though the interim government has a limited term, “we aim to create a roadmap that future elected governments can use as a starting point.”
Identifying the Vulnerable
Also speaking at the event, Disaster and Relief Management Advisor Faruk-e-Azam stressed the importance of identifying high-risk groups to effectively reduce poverty in vulnerable populations. “The Ministry of Disaster and Relief’s main goal is to address and reduce risky poverty,” he said.
He also highlighted the need for a centralised database to fix weaknesses in the social protection system.
Growth Without Jobs
Manzoor Hossain, member of the General Economics Division of the Planning Commission, pointed out a disconnect between GDP growth and employment. “Over the past decade, GDP has grown by about 6.5% annually, but employment has increased by only 2%. This indicates jobless growth,” he said, blaming weak governance, financial mismanagement, and lack of justice.
He also argued that the current budget allocation for social protection is inadequate, calling for expansion through instruments like bonds and insurance, and urging the government to improve tax revenue collection.
The conference also heard from senior officials and international partners, including Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Mokhlesur Rahman, Cabinet Division Secretary Zaheda Parveen, UNDP Bangladesh representative Stephen Liller, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michel Cretz, and Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka, Clinton Popkey.
A keynote paper was presented by Additional Secretary Md. Khaled Hasan, outlining the current state and future prospects of social protection in Bangladesh.